Comments on: How To Search the Collections of Famous Libraries & Museums http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/search-the-collections-of-famous-libraries-museums-online/ Cool Websites, Software and Internet Tips Sat, 11 Feb 2012 06:26:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Perian http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/search-the-collections-of-famous-libraries-museums-online/#comment-431558 Perian Wed, 13 Jan 2010 03:02:35 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=25317#comment-431558 The notion that putting collections online decreases attendance (for museums, at any rate. I'm not certain about libraries and digitized books) has been debunked a number of times. I'd be really curious to know if there is new information available that supports your assertion. The notion that putting collections online decreases attendance (for museums, at any rate. I’m not certain about libraries and digitized books) has been debunked a number of times. I’d be really curious to know if there is new information available that supports your assertion.

]]> By: Conxa Rodà http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/search-the-collections-of-famous-libraries-museums-online/#comment-431501 Conxa Rodà Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:49:27 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=25317#comment-431501 Good summary of good virtual resources, thank you. I'm afraid, though, I have to disagree regarding your statement that putting collections available online mean less need for visiting museums onsite. First, even the best digital reproduction of Mona Lisa can't compete with viewing the original. There is an emotional factor of being in front of the work issued of the hands of the artist but also, watching the originals, you get a better approach to dimension, colours,etc. Secondly, browsing the collection online is a good way of become more interested to visit, to know more, or preselect the itinerary once in the museum. In our Museum, we put in 2008 some virtual tours on our website http://www.bcn.cat/museupicasso/en/visiting/highlights.html and in November 2009 we put a big part of our collection online http://www.bcn.cat/museupicasso/en/collection/catalogue.html Has this made a difference? Not in terms of attendance: we haven't received less visitors (even with the economic recession). And yes regarding web surfing: online visitors have spent more time in our website and visited more pages than before, and spread the word through our social media networks. While digital technology allows many features not available onsite (zoom, personalization, different levels of information, interaction, sharing, etc.) I believe is not a question of confronting real versus digital: all ways have their publics and moments and serve diverse interests, they complement each other and both enrich visitor experience. Conxa @innova2 Good summary of good virtual resources, thank you.
I’m afraid, though, I have to disagree regarding your statement that putting collections available online mean less need for visiting museums onsite. First, even the best digital reproduction of Mona Lisa can’t compete with viewing the original. There is an emotional factor of being in front of the work issued of the hands of the artist but also, watching the originals, you get a better approach to dimension, colours,etc. Secondly, browsing the collection online is a good way of become more interested to visit, to know more, or preselect the itinerary once in the museum.

In our Museum, we put in 2008 some virtual tours on our website http://www.bcn.cat/museupicasso/en/visiting/highlights.html and in November 2009 we put a big part of our collection online http://www.bcn.cat/museupicasso/en/collection/catalogue.html
Has this made a difference? Not in terms of attendance: we haven’t received less visitors (even with the economic recession). And yes regarding web surfing: online visitors have spent more time in our website and visited more pages than before, and spread the word through our social media networks.

While digital technology allows many features not available onsite (zoom, personalization, different levels of information, interaction, sharing, etc.) I believe is not a question of confronting real versus digital: all ways have their publics and moments and serve diverse interests, they complement each other and both enrich visitor experience.

Conxa
@innova2

]]> By: jcalkie http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/search-the-collections-of-famous-libraries-museums-online/#comment-406605 jcalkie Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:55:23 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=25317#comment-406605 Thanks for the post. It's going to be very useful. Thanks for the post. It’s going to be very useful.

]]> By: iffizarticles http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/search-the-collections-of-famous-libraries-museums-online/#comment-406331 iffizarticles Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:20:16 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=25317#comment-406331 Excellent blog, very helpful. Excellent blog, very helpful.

]]> By: iffizarticles http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/search-the-collections-of-famous-libraries-museums-online/#comment-406330 iffizarticles Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:19:35 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=25317#comment-406330 Great read. Great read.

]]> By: Peter http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/search-the-collections-of-famous-libraries-museums-online/#comment-406315 Peter Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:21:42 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=25317#comment-406315 thanks for the great post! didn't know these museums were that active. Just one thing: it's 'Louvre', not 'Lourve' ;) thanks for the great post! didn’t know these museums were that active.

Just one thing: it’s ‘Louvre’, not ‘Lourve’ ;)

]]> By: Jonathan Wylie http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/search-the-collections-of-famous-libraries-museums-online/#comment-406256 Jonathan Wylie Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:46:13 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=25317#comment-406256 Nice to see the Scots represented here! I am also Scottish, (and therefore biased) but I agree that it is a great resource. Nice to see the Scots represented here! I am also Scottish, (and therefore biased) but I agree that it is a great resource.

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